Mailing-tube.



C. H. QUINLAN.

MMLING TUBE.

I APPLICATION FILED APR.24, 1914.

1, 1 46,206., Patented July 13, 1915..

Jivueptar ar/av b. Qazkylmy 2111mm 4 v @7521 j CHARLES H. QUINLAN, 0FAMSTERDATE, NEW-YORK.

MAILING-TUBE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31.3, 1915.

Application filed April 24:, 1914. serial Nb. 83%,14l1.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. QUINLAN, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Amsterdam, in thecounty of Montgomery and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful improvements in Mailing-Tubes, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to improvements in mailing tubes, and isdesigned to provide a device of this type which is adapted as areceptacle in which may be carried music rolls, manuscripts,etc.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a tube of thischaracter preferably made of cardboard which will be comparatively cheapin first cost, light in weight, but strong and durable, and well adaptedfor performing the functions for which it is intended.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangements ofparts whereby separate sections of the tube are joined together and heldsecurely in position, and in certain other novel combinations andarrangements of closures for the ends of the tube, as will all be moreclearly pointed out in the following specification and set forth in theappended claim.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment r of my invention constructed according to thebest mode I have so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples'of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mailing tube constructed according tomy invention, one end of the tube'being broken away for convenience inillustration. Fig. 2 is a view of a single section of a mailing tubedetached. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view enlargedshowing the position of the crossed wires which are used to fasten theclosure in the end of the tube, or when the closure is omitted thesecrossed wires themselves perform the function of the closure. Fig. 5 isa view of one of the fastening disks. Fig. 6 is a cross section on line6-6 of Fig. 5. I

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 1, Iemploy a suitable number of tube sections, as 1 and 2. These sectionsare all duplicates, and. it will be understood that as many sections asdesired may be employed, and the intermediate sections will all bejoined together at their tube to protect the edges.

previously is then pasted and made to adhere to the other sections ofthe tube. In some cases the band end of the section may be the end ofthe tube, and in this manner a wrapper is provided which may be turnedin at the open end of the tube, and folded over the contents of thetube. .Zihus, for instance, a cardboard drawing inclosed within the tubemay have this band folded over the It will be understood that the bandalthough somewhat flexible, is yet sufficiently rigid to forma securejoint between the sections as shown in Fig. 1.

.For firmly holding the sections together, I employ complementaryfasteners near the adjoining ends of the sections, and in the drawings Ihave illustrated round disks or buttons 4 and 5 secured to therespective tube sections, and these fastening devices are connected bymeans of a fastening cord 6 which is permanently secured to one deviceas i, and then passed around the other device as 5.

The disk is preferably of metal, and is provided with tongues 5 struckup from the materialof the disk, and these tongues which are triangularin shape and have a pointed end, are passed through the body of the tubesections and are clamped at the inner side or wall of the tubes so thatthe disks are firmly secured to the tubes. The disk 5 is preferablyformed with a kerf or slit 5 which extends from the perimeter of thedisk in toward the center, and this kerf forms a looking or retainingdevice for the end of the cord 6 as it has been wound backward andforward about the disks 4: and 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. I haveillustrated the sectional tube as equipped with four of these fasteningdevices and cords, but it will be understood that a greater or lessnumber may be utilized as circumstances warrant.

For closing the open ends of the tube a round disk 7 may be employedwhen it is desired to seal the end of the tube. After the article to becarried is placed within the tube, this disk or closure 7 is placed inthe end of the tube against the end of the article, and then a crossedwire locking device the first prongs. J5

when in use the prongs may be pushed or passed through the wall of thetube near its end and then the wire bent and stretched across thediameter of the tube. Another bend islnow formed in the wire, and theother end of the wire is bent over and-the other prongs are passedthrough the wall of the tube and locked diametrically opposite Thesecond wire is now attached in the same manner between its prongs to thetube, and the wires are thus crossed as in Figs. 3 and 4. In this mannerthe crossed wires securely seal and lock the contents of the tube, butit will be understood that the Wires may be displaced with facility whennecessary or required so that access may be had to the interior ofthepackage.

In Fig. 1, it will be seen that each crossed wire has an angularly bentportion 11l1 so that the wire closure is firmly anchored or secured atthe ends of the tube, and the prongs 10 are bent inwardly toward thebody of the wire so that displacement of the wire cannot occur Withoutforcibly prying the prongs from the Wall of the tube. The portions 11 ofthe wire parallel with the plane of the tube give rigidity and securityto the locking wires, and when it is desired to withdraw the prongs fromthe tube this may be accomplished by prying the bent portion 11 awayfrom the tube, and in this manner the opening of the tube may befacilitated.

From the above description taken in connection with my drawings it willbe understood that l have provided a device which fulfils the conditionsset forth as the purpose of my invention.

The sectional feature of the mailing tube adapts the mailing tube toalmost indefinite lengths so that it is capable of carrying articles ofvarying sizes or lengths. The

raaaaee sections themselves are securely jointed together by the sealingband and fastening 56 means, and the perforated pronged ends of the wireclosures form rigid braces and secure closures for the ends of the tube.

. If desired, the sealing band at the center of the tube may bedispensed with, and at the joint a reinforcing collar, either of thesame material as the tube or otherwise. In using second class mailmatter in the tube,

it will be desirable that the sealing band be not pasted to the tubesections to seal 60 the joint, thus providing access to the interior ofthe tube for the post office inspector. It will be noted in this casethat instead of opening the ends of the tube, inspection may be had byuntying and loosening G5 the cord, and then the sections may beseparated and the contents of the tube inspected. For first-classmatter, of course, the sealing band will be pasted as before described.By removing the contents of the it tube after the sections have beenseparated,

all danger of injury to the contents by tearing or soilingin handling,is eliminated, and the malhng tube can be opened with facility and thecontents withdrawn Without opening the end closures.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The combination with the sections of a mailing tube and a sealing bandover the adjoining ends thereof, of a disk closing each outer sectionend, a pair of flexible crossed wires having bifurcated bent portionsparallel with the tube formed w prongs adapted to enter the material ortube, and fastening devices near the ends the adjoining sections withfastening cords connecting said devices.

In testimony whereof ll afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. QUINLAN.

